Madrid Mayor Says Spain Rescue ‘Seems Inevitable’

The mayor of Madrid, a prominent member of Spain’s ruling party, said on Friday it “seems inevitable” the central government would apply for some kind of international aid package as the country goes through a deep recession and borrowing costs soar.

Ana Botella, wife of former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, is the first high-level Spanish official to say publicly that the country would need a financial rescue.

“There’s no doubt about it. It’s very probable that we’re going to have to ask for help from the European Union,” Botella told Spanish news agency Europa Press in an interview.